Eyebrows will be raised if the winning score at the Scottish Open is higher than that at the Open Championship seven days later. First impressions of Royal Aberdeen, where the Scottish Open begins on Thursday, suggest this tournament could be back to its brutal best; or worst, depending on your outlook.

When this event was last staged at Carnoustie, in 1996, players regarded it as too severe a test immediately before the Open. Colin Montgomerie went so far as to claim his swing had been “destroyed” by the experience. Ian Woosnam won at one-over par. The Scottish Open was subsequently held at relatively tame venues, including Castle Stuart – until now.

A strong field are looking in part to prepare for a tilt at the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool. They are unlikely to do so the easy way. “There’s two schools of thought,” Justin Rose said. “I think that’s why I thought Castle Stuart was a great course for us; because it was links golf and it was pretty authentic but it wasn’t too demanding and too tough. So you weren’t going to get destroyed the week before an Open Championship. This course is the opposite to that. Hoylake might seem a gentle test compared to maybe what we face here, depending on the weather.”

Not that Rose and his contemporaries seem in awe of the task in hand. Far from it. “From what I have heard and what I’ve seen, the course looks in great condition and it looks like we will get even a tougher test this week than next week at Hoylake,” Rory McIlroy said. “I think it will be good for some of the guys, because it’s definitely not a gentle introduction to links golf. I’m looking forward to it and it should be a great challenge. I think we are going to get a bit of everything this week. It looks like a couple of days are nice and a couple of days aren’t so nice. Proper links conditions and a proper links tournament.”

Next year, when Gullane is expected to be the host course, will continue the theme. McIlroy, who is making a first Scottish Open appearance since 2009, is relaxed about that. “If conditions got really bad, physically it would just be a tough week,” he said. “It would just be a long slog out there with the wind and the rain and everything. But you know, take the Monday off of the Open week and then get back at it Tuesday. By Wednesday, you should be fine. I don’t think that’s going to be a concern for anyone this week.”

McIlroy’s sentiment was shared by Ian Poulter, who has never been of a mind to shirk professional challenges. “You’re going to have to hit all the shots this week that you’re going to require next week,” he said. “So if ever there was a good week to come back and play the Scottish Open, then this is certainly a very good one.

“As long as you know that you’ve got two weeks potentially in high winds, know that the wind will affect your swing and that you’re going to have to try different shots; providing you’ve done the work leading in to know that certain shots require certain swings, then hopefully you should be OK for the two weeks.

“It is going to be a stern test with the weather, with three different winds on this golf course. So that will drain you mentally, I think, trying to figure it out. We’re not going to play one course, it looks like we are going to play three.”

No McIlroy appearance these days can pass without discussion of his private life, which has been under scrutiny since he broke off his engagement to Caroline Wozniacki in May. McIlroy enjoyed a recent break in Ibiza with friends, during which he relished an opportunity to unwind. “I’m obviously not playing well enough, people don’t want to talk about my golf,” he said with a laugh. “I just live my life and people can say or write whatever they want. I’m very single and very happy at the minute, that’s all I can say.”

Tiger Woods is another staple topic of conversation; especially with the 14-times major winner set to make an appearance at Royal Liverpool. Woods has played only one tournament – where he missed the cut – since undergoing surgery on a back nerve in late March. “We have all witnessed what Tiger has been able to do over his career, whether that’s come back from injury and win or come back from any sort of off-course stuff and win,” McIlroy said. “Is it foolish for people to write him off? I would say so. If he’s playing and he’s competing, he’s got as good a chance as anyone.”

If he is watching his opponents toil in the wind and rain of north-eastern Scotland, Woods may even be energised.